News and Updates
Winter Recess Announcement
The IACUC office will be closed during the Winter Recess (December 24, 2009 to January 3, 2010).
During this time, the office will not process or approve protocols, modification requests or annual renewal applications. The office will begin operation again on Monday, January 4, 2010. Keep in mind that three-year renewals and annual renewals for protocols due for approval in December must be approved by December 23 in order to prevent a lapse in approval and subsequent confiscation of animals. In order to keep such protocols active, please plan accordingly and make sure to submit any time-sensitive material as early as possible.
Revisions to the Rodent Breeding Policy
One May 18, 2009 the IACUC approved revisions to the Breeding, Weaning, and Separating Mice SOP and Attachment 5 of the IACUC Protocol Application. The approved revisions were established to maintain compliance with federal regulations, create greater efficiencies in the care and management of breeding colonies, minimize cage overcrowding, and minimize excessive communications.
DEA Controlled Substance Information
A DEA fact sheet is now available for researchers using controlled substances.
Reinstatement of a three-year recertification requirement for
the Use of Laboratory Animals in Research and Education
Effective June 1, 2008, new IACUC protocol submissions, renewals, and modifications will be held in pending status until all individuals listed on the protocols have satisfied certification or recertification requirements for this module. Recertification will be required every three years thereafter.
Transistioning of MWRI IACUC Protocols to Pitt IACUC Protocols
As a result of the subcontracting requirement of faculty salaries to the University of Pittsburgh, all MWRI animal protocols will have to be administered by the University of Pittsburgh’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Therefore all MWRI IACUC protocols will all eventually be reviewed and must be approved by Pitt’s IACUC.
Small Animal (Rodent User) Training Module - Now Available on the Web
The required training for investigators employing small animals (rodents) in their research or teaching is now available online, at the Internet-Based Studies in Education and Research website. To access this training, go to: http://cme.hs.pitt.edu, and click on the “Responsible Conduct of Research” folder. The rodent user training is titled “Small Animals Research and Training”.
Certification of Gas Anesthesia Equipment and Monitoring Equipment
The IACUC has recently changed its policy involving certification and calibration of gas anesthesia equipment. The major changes are as follow:
- Certification and calibration of the equipment is now required every 2 years, unless the manufacturer suggests more frequent inspections. Formerly, annual inspections were required.
- Certification should include an inspection of the entire anesthetic machine, not just the vaporizer.
The IACUC mailing of Nov. 17, 2006 highlighted key elements of the policy. The complete revised gas anesthesia policy can be found on the IACUC webpage in the Policies section.
Cross Trafficking and Rodent Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh
The DLAR would like to remind investigators who are in contact with rodents at other campuses that strict adherence to the guidelines would considerably reduce the risk of pathogen spread between facilities.
IACUC Contact Information
| IACUC Office | 412-383-2008 | iacuc@pitt.edu |
| Frank Jenkins, Ph.D., IACUC Chair | 412-623-3233 | fjenkins@pitt.edu |
| Denise Capozzi, DVM, IACUC Office Director | 412-383-2009 | dcapozzi@pitt.edu |
| Julie Cursi, IACUC Training Coordinator | 412-383-1737 | cursija@upmc.edu |
Other Contact Information for Animal Users
| Division of Laboratory Animal Resources | 412-648-8950 | dlar@pitt.edu |
| Environmental Health & Safety | 412-624-9505 | www.ehs.pitt.edu |
| Work Partners (Treatment for Animal-Related Injuries) |
412-647-3695 | |
| Radiation Safety Office | 412-624-2728 | www.radsafe.pitt.edu |
| Recombinant DNA Office | 412-383-1768 | rdna@pitt.edu |
Mission
The University of Pittsburgh Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees the university's animal programs, facilities and procedures insuring the appropriate care, use and humane treatments of animals being used for research, testing and education. The IACUC serves as a resource to faculty, investigators, technicians, students, staff, and administrators, providing guidance in fulfilling the obligation to plan and conduct all animal use procedures with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.
The IACUC Newsflash
IACUC Information Handout
IACUC Presentation: "Preparing your Lab for An IACUC or AAALAC Inspection"
This presentation may be viewed in its original Powerpoint format or as a PDF File
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